258 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Ocr., 1902, 
It may be assumed that, if it is eventually possible to mount the cavalry and 
horse the artillery on this type of horse, the general mounting will be ag 
efficient as possible. 
This type of horse should be defined as being specially. strong in the 
following points :— 
Sufficient quality. 
Balance: which can only result from a sufficiently true general conforma. 
tion. 
Depth of girth, and roundness and depth of back ribs. 
Shortness of back. 
Absolute straightness in forelegs as observed from the front, including the 
column of leg and its extremities to the foot itself. 
Action decided and true all round. 
The Commission are aware that such a type can only be attained after the 
lapse of a considerable period of years, but they are convinced that a clasg 
possessing these characteristics should be fixed on as a guide to breeders and 
purchasers of service horses. The modification of the allotment lists has been 
proposed with a view to simplifying the operations of both breeding and buying, 
The photographs Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 7 represent the class of horse. 
At Saharanpur, No. 38:0, a bay Australian, six years old (see photograph 
No. 2), was selected as a typical field artillery horse. He weighed 1,066 lb. 
While at Caleutta, the Commission met the Australian shippers, and heard 
their views on the horse supply, and subsequently the following letter, signed 
by all the principal shippers, was received :— 
“We have the honour to place before you our views regarding the horse- 
breeding of Australia. In our opinion it is deteriorating, due to the cause of 
inferior stallions, and exporting most of the best mares, breeders being tempted 
to sell on account of the high prices given for Indian remounts. 
“We think it would be beneficial to the industry if you were to advise the 
Australian Governments to put a heavy tax on stallions and limit the exporta- 
tion of mares suitable for breeding. Also, the Governments should supply a 
number of stallions for the use of breeders at a nominal fee for service.” 
The shippers further stated that they believed breeders would introduce 
changes for the benefit of the Indian market, if they knew what was wanted, 
but that purchasers had different ideas, and there were no principles on which 
to take action. The kind of horse required, hereinbefore described, may be 
judged from photographs Nos. 1, 2, and 3, and the type of stallion which 
should be used in their production may be seen in photographs 14 and 16. 
It is not for the Commission to advise the Australian Governments, but it 
is hoped the Government of India will forward them a copy of this report, in 
order that the state of affairs. as it presents itself to shippers and purchasers 
alike, may be brought to their notice. 
It has been urged upon the Government that it. would be an improvement 
to establish depéts in Australia, and buy remounts in that country. 
The Commission consider that the following objections are sufficient to deter 
the Government of India from adopting this scheme :— 
(a) That the experiment has been tried, and proved a failure. 
(6) Thas an exceptionally skilful and experienced staff of buyers must 
always be maintained, and any want of tact or judgment on their 
part might result in the formation of an adverse ring among 
breeders. 
(c) That a heavy outlay in purchase of land and erection of a depot 
would be necessary. It is understood that good land, conveniently 
placed, could not be acquired for less than £10 per acre, and the 
risk of disease breaking out would be considerable unless there was 
a large range of paddocks. 
